System and apparatus for applying labels to cable or conduit

ABSTRACT

A system for applying labels to cable or conduit including at least one label and a label applicator. The label applicator including at least one guide roller, at least one tamping device comprising at least one tamping pad for applying at least one label onto the moving cable or conduit, and a guide shoe assembly. The guide shoe assembly comprises a guide shoe, the guide shoe comprises a rounding member, a plurality of springs for providing flexibility to the rounding member when the moving cable or conduit passes the at least one guide shoe, a support mount for supporting the at least one guide shoe, a plurality of pivots disposed between the rounding member and the rounding member support for adjusting the set of springs, and a fitted member for providing an anchor for the at least one guide shoe to connect with the support mount.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/453,273, filed Aug. 6, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/091,897, filed Apr. 21, 2011, now issued as U.S.Pat. No. 8,826,960 on Sep. 9, 2014 which is a Continuation-in-Part ofapplication Ser. No. 12/484,719, filed Jun. 15, 2009, now issued as U.S.Pat. No. 7,954,530, issued Jun. 7, 2011, which claims the prioritybenefit of Provisional Application No. 61/148,630 filed Jan. 30, 2009,all of which are fully incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to applying labels to a cableor conduit, and more particularly, to a system and apparatus forapplying labels to a moving cable or conduit.

2. Description of the Related Art

A cable or conduit generally consists of one or more internal conductorsand a sheath that envelopes the one or more internal conductors. Labelsare then applied to the sheath of the cable or conduit to identifycharacteristics of the cable or conduit, for example, the type and sizeof the cable or conduit. In the current state of the art, variousmethods are used to apply specific colors to cable or conduit and/orconduit. One method is to apply an ink directly to an outer sheath ofthe cable or conduit by spraying, wiping, dripping, brushing, etc.However, colors applied by this method may not be easily removed and themethod in which the ink is applied may not be easily managed as liquidor powder is used. Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus and amethod for applying colored labels to cable or conduit and/or conduitwithout the disadvantages of the existing methods.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system and apparatus for applyinglabels to a cable or conduit.

A system for applying labels to cable or conduit, the system comprising:at least one label, a label applicator for applying the label to thecable or conduit, the label applicator comprising at least one guideroller for guiding a moving cable or conduit, at least one tampingdevice comprising at least one tamping pad for applying at least onelabel onto the moving cable or conduit; and a guide shoe assembly, theguide shoe assembly comprising: a guide shoe mounted at a level that ishorizontal and substantially even with the moving cable or conduit forpressing the label directly against at least a portion of the movingcable or conduit, wherein the guide shoe comprises a rounding member, aplurality of springs for providing flexibility to the rounding memberwhen the moving cable or conduit passes the at least one guide shoe, asupport mount for supporting the at least one guide shoe, a plurality ofpivots disposed between the rounding member and the rounding membersupport for adjusting the set of springs, and a fitted member forproviding an anchor for the at least one guide shoe to connect with thesupport mount.

A system for applying labels to cable or conduit, the system comprising:at least one label, a label applicator for applying the label to thecable or conduit, the label applicator comprising: at least one guideroller for guiding a moving cable or conduit, at least one tampingdevice comprising: at least one tamping pad for applying at least onelabel onto the moving cable or conduit, wherein the at least one tampingdevice comprises a set of hydraulics for driving the at least onetamping pad downward onto the moving cable or conduit, and a guide shoeassembly, the guide shoe assembly comprising: a plurality of guide shoesindividually mounted at a level that is horizontal and substantiallyeven with the moving cable or conduit for pressing the at least onelabel against a portion of the moving cable or conduit, wherein theplurality of guide shoes comprises: a rounding member, a rounding membersupport for supporting the rounding member, a plurality of springs forproviding flexibility to the rounding member when the moving cable orconduit passes the at least one guide shoe, a support mount forsupporting the at least one guide shoe, a plurality of pivots disposedbetween the rounding member and the rounding member support foradjusting the set of springs, and a fitted member for providing ananchor for the at least one guide shoe to connect with the supportmount.

The following description and drawings set forth in detail a number ofillustrative embodiments of the invention. These embodiments areindicative of but a few of the various ways in which the presentinvention may be utilized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present invention is provided byreference to the following detailed description of the appended drawingsand figures. The following descriptions, in conjunction with theappended figures, enable a person having skill in the art to recognizethe numerous advantages and features of the present invention byunderstanding the various disclosed embodiments. The following figuresare utilized to best illustrate these features.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary cable or conduit in accordance withone embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of exemplary labels for application to a cable orconduit in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary labeling unit for applying labels inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a diagram of an exemplary tamping pad in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a diagram of an exemplary moving cable or conduit afterinitial affixing of labels by the tamping device in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a top view of a guide shoe assembly is depictedin accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating side views of exemplary guideshoes in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a side view of an exemplary guide shoein accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a top view of a guide shoe inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a side view of a guide shoe inaccordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a side view of a guide shoe inaccordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary guide roller in accordancewith one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process for applying labels to a cable orconduit in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process for affixing labels to a cable orconduit with a tamping device in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a process for pressing the label against atleast one side of the cable or conduit using a set of guide shoes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in theart to make and use the invention. The general principles describedherein may be applied to embodiments and applications other than thosedetailed below without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims. The presentinvention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but isto be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles andfeatures disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 1, a diagram of an exemplary cable or conduit isdepicted in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Inthis embodiment, cable or conduit 100 consists of one or more internalconductors 102 and 104. Internal conductors 102 and 104 are preferablyinsulated by an insulator and jacketed and are enveloped by a sheath106. Sheath 106 may be made of a conducting material such as aluminum orsteel. Cable or conduit 100 may also be of different types including,but not limited to, corrugated, interlocking, waterproof/liquid-tight,or flexible metal conduit.

Referring to FIG. 2, a diagram of exemplary labels for application to acable or conduit is depicted in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. In this embodiment, labels 200A and 200B may be madewith or without adhesive, which enables the removal of the label easier.Labels 200A and 200B may be conductive or non-conductive, and polymericor metallic in nature. In one embodiment, labels 200A and 200B are of apolymeric heat-induced shrink-wrap type such that when labels 200A and200B are heated, the labels shrink and wrap tightly around the sheath106 of the cable or conduit 100 in a manner to be discussed furtherbelow. Labels other than heat-induced shrink-wrap type may also be usedwithout departing the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Label 200A is color-coded edge-to-edge according to a color scheme. Inone embodiment, label 200A is color-coded to indicate the internalconductor wire size according to the American Wire Gauge (AWG) standard.For example, label 200A is white in color, which indicates that the sizeof the internal conductors is 14AWG. The color scheme for the internalconductors wire size also includes a yellow color to indicate wire sizeof 12AWG; an orange color to indicate wire size of 10AWG; a black colorto indicate wire size of 8AWG; a purple color to indicate wire size of6AWG; a brown color to indicate wire size of 4AWG; a tan color toindicate wire size of 3AWG; a gold color to indicate wire size of 2AWG;and a pink color to indicate wire size of 1AWG. It is noted that colorsother than those described above may be used to indicate the size of theinternal conductors without departing the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure. For example, a custom color instead of white may beused to indicate a 14AWG internal conductor.

Label 200A also comprises letters printed on the surface to indicatecertain information about the cable or conduit and its internalconductors. The letters may be preprinted with selected lettering and/ornumbering schemes in black, white, or other colored ink. In oneembodiment, letters are printed on the surface of label 200A to indicatethe size and/or number of internal conductors, whether a ground wire ispresent, and the actual colors of the internal conductors. For example,label 200A has printed letters “14/3 G Blk/Wht/Red”, which indicates thefollowing information about the cable or conduit: three internalconductors with a wire size of 14AWG, a ground wire is present, and theactual colors of the internal conductors are black, white, and red. Itis noted that in addition to the above information, label 200A may beprinted with letters to indicate other types of information relating tocable or conduit 100 and its internal conductors without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Label 200B is also color-coded edge-to-edge according a color scheme. Inone embodiment, label 200B is color-coded to indicate the category ofthe cable or conduit 100. For example, label 200B is grey in color toindicate that a category of metal clad (MC) aluminum (AL) 202. The colorscheme for the category also includes a green color to indicate acategory of health care facility (HCF); a blue color to indicate acategory of metal-clad steel (MC-SL); a white color to indicate acategory of armored cable steel (AC-SL), a category of armored cablealuminum (AC-AL), a category of metal-clad (MC) oversize neutral, or acategory of metal-clad (MC) isolated ground (ISG); a red color toindicate a category of metal-clad fire alarm (MC-FPLP); and a coppercolor to indicate a category of metal-clad smart ground (MC-SG).

It is noted that for the category of health care, both labels 200A and200B will remain green in color even though a different color would havebeen used to indicate the size of the internal conductors. It is alsonoted that for the category of fire alarm, both labels 200A and 200Bwill remain red in color even though a different color would have beenused to indicate the size of the internal conductors. It is also notedthat for the category of multi-purpose (MP), both labels 200A and 200Bwill remain copper in color. Furthermore, colors other than thosedescribed above may be used to indicate the category of internalconductors without departing the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, a custom color instead of grey may be used toindicate a metal-clad aluminum (MC-AL) internal conductor.

Label 200B also comprises letters printed on the surface to indicate thecategory of the internal conductors. The letters may be preprinted withselected lettering and/or numbering schemes in black, white, or othercolored ink. For example, label 200B is printed with letters “MC-AL” toindicate a category of metal-clad (MC) aluminum (AL). Alternatively,label 200B is printed with letters “AC-HCF” to indicate that a categoryof armored cable (AC) health care facility cable (HCF). Otherembodiments of category include letters “MC-FPLP” to indicate a categoryof metal clad (MC) fire alarm cable or conduit (FPLP), letter “MC-MLC”to indicate a category of metal clad (MC) multi-circuit (MLC), letters“MC-OSN” to indicate a category of metal clad (MC) oversized neutral(OSN), letters “MC-MLN” to indicate a category of metal-clad (MC)multi-neutral (MLN), letters “MC-SL” to indicate a category of metalclad (MC) steel (SL), letters “MC-ISG” to indicate a category of metalclad (MC) isolated ground (ISG), and letters “AC-AL” to indicate acategory of armored cable (AC) aluminum cable, letters “AC-SL” toindicate a category of armored cable (AC) steel (SL) and letters “MC-SG”to indicated a category of metal-clad (MC) smart ground (SG).

Labels 200A and 200B may have different pre-printed type styles and fontsizes. In addition, labels 200A and 200B may be of different sizes basedon the spacing between labels on the moving cable or conduit 100. Inthis embodiment, a polymeric heat-induced shrink-wrap label isapproximately 2¼″ square before shrinkage. However, labels 200A and 200Bmay be smaller or larger in size based on the spacing between labelsalong the outer sheath 106 of the moving cable or conduit 100.

Instead of applying ink directly to the outer sheath of the cable orconduit, the present disclosure applies labels, such as heat-inducedshrink-wrap type labels 200A and 200B, to the cable or conduit 100, byfeeding the moving cable or conduit to a labeling unit 300. Referring toFIG. 3, a diagram of an exemplary labeling unit 300 is depicted inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In thisembodiment, labeling 300 includes a set of guide rollers 302, a firsttamping device 304, a second tamping device 309, a guide shoe assembly306, a set of parallel guide rollers 308, an optional encoding device310, and an optional heated shrink-wrap tunnel 312.

In operation, cable or conduit 100 is fed continuously into the labelingunit 300 on a set of guide rollers 302. The size of the guide rollers302 is interchangeable according to the overall diameter of the cable orconduit 100. A first tamping device 304 is provided in labeling unit 300to apply labels, such as heat-induced shrink-wrap labels 200A, ontocable or conduit 100. In one embodiment, a first label roller 305comprising a roll of labels is provided in labeling unit 300 to feedlabels 200A into the first tamping device 304. Alternatively, the firstlabel roller 305 comprising a roll of alternating labels 200A and 200Bis provided in labeling unit 300 to feed the both labels 200A and 200Binto the tamping device 304. Thus, in this alternative embodiment, onlya single label roller 305 is necessary to apply both labels 200A and200B to the cable or conduit 100.

In another embodiment, a second tamping device 309 is provided inlabeling unit 300 to apply labels, such as heat-induced shrink-wraplabels 200B, onto cable or conduit 100. In this embodiment, a secondlabel roller 307 comprising a roll of labels is provided in labelingunit 300 to feed labels 200B into the second tamping device 309. In thisembodiment, the first tamping device 304 applies labels 200A from thefirst label roller 305 onto the cable or conduit 100 prior to the secondtamping device 309 applying labels 200B from the second label roller 307onto the cable or conduit 100. However, the second tamping device 309 isnot limited to applying labels 200B and may apply labels 200A as analternative.

Tamping devices 304 and 309 comprise tamping pads 314 and 315respectively. Tamping pads 314 and 315 have a surface that comprises agroove, which fits the outer profile of the moving cable or conduit 100.When labels 200A and/or 200B are fed onto the surface of the tamping pad314, a set of hydraulics push tamping pads 314 and 315 onto the movingcable or conduit 100, where the cable or conduit 100 fits into thegroove of tamping pads 314 and 315. More details regarding tamping pads314 and 315 are discussed with reference to FIG. 4A below.

After tamping devices 304 and 309 apply labels 200A and/or 200B to cableor conduit 100, cable or conduit 100 is fed into a guide shoe assembly306, which directs the moving cable or conduit 100 while smoothing orrounding the labels 200A and/or 200B to tightly fit the outer profile ofthe moving cable or conduit 100. More details regarding the guide shoeassembly 306 are discussed with reference to FIG. 5 below. After passingthrough the guide shoe assembly 306, the moving cable or conduit 100with applied labels 200A and/or 200B passes through a set of parallelguide rollers 308 that affix the labels 200A and/or 200B more firmlyfrom the side. The distance between the set of parallel guide rollers308 may be adjusted based on the diameter of the cable or conduit 100.The set of parallel guide rollers 308 also hold the cable or conduit 100in place after it exits the guide shoe assembly 306.

The moving cable or conduit 100 then passes an optional encoding device310 that comprises an attached sensor 316. The encoding device 310regulates the frequency of label application by tamping devices 304 and309 based on the speed of the moving cable or conduit 100. The attachedsensor 316 receives a signal from the guiding wheel 318 as it rotates toguide moving cable or conduit 100 through the labeling unit 300 andcontrols the frequency of label application by tamping devices 304 and309 based on the received signal. Other types of encoding devices 310may also be used to regulate the frequency of label application withoutdeparting the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example,an automatic encoding device 310 that automatically monitors thefrequency of label application based on timing of the last labelapplication may also be used.

The moving cable or conduit 100 then enters an optional heatedshrink-wrap tunnel 312 that affixes labels 200A and/or 200B moresecurely. The tunnel 312 applies heat to the applied labels 200A and/or200B on the moving cable or conduit 100, such that it shrinks and wrapslabels 200A and/or 200B around the outer profile of the cable or conduit100 more securely. In one embodiment, the tunnel 312 is mounted to aframe at a height that is compatible with the location of the movingcable or conduit 100. After the moving cable or conduit exits theoptional heated shrink-wrap tunnel 312, the cable or conduit withaffixed labels 200A and/or 200B exits the labeling unit 300.

The labeling unit 300 may be implemented either inline with themanufacturing process or offline in a separate process. Labeling unit300 provides an apparatus that is easier to apply or remove labels. Inaddition, labeling unit 300 makes managing application of labels easier,because the process is free from liquid or powder which makes it easierto clean up. It is noted that methods other than heated shrink-wrap forapplying labels 200A and 200B may be implemented without departing thespirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, a method forapplying labels with adhesive may be implemented using the labeling unit300. In that case, the guide shoe assembly 306 may be modified such thatopposing ends of labels 200A and 200B are joined after labels 200A and200B pass the guide shoe assembly. More details regarding modificationof the guide shoe assembly 306 are discussed with reference to FIG. 5below.

Referring to FIG. 4A, a diagram of an exemplary tamping pad is depictedin accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In thisembodiment, tamping pads 314 and 315 comprise a groove 402 that is cutaccording to the outer profile of the moving cable or conduit 100.Labels 200A and/or 200B are fed onto the face 404 of tamping pads 314and 315. When the set of hydraulics of the tamping devices 304 and 309drive tamping pads 314 and 315 onto the moving cable or conduit 100, thecable or conduit 100 fits into the groove 402 of the tamping pads 314and 315 and labels 200A and/or 200B are affixed to the moving cable orconduit 100 according to the profile provided by the groove 402. Forexample, the set of hydraulics may drive tamping pads 314 and 315 fromabove the moving cable or conduit 100 by descending it downwards.Alternatively, the set of hydraulics may drive the tamping pads 314 and315 from below the moving cable or conduit 100 by lifting it upward.

After a predetermined amount of time delay, the set of hydraulics of thetamping devices 304 and 309 remove tamping pads 314 and 315 from themoving cable or conduit 100. For example, the set of hydraulics mayremove tamping pads 314 and 315 by lifting it away from the top ofmoving cable or conduit 100. Alternatively, the set of hydraulics mayremove tamping pads 314 and 315 by descending it downward away from thebottom of moving cable or conduit 100. Tamping pads 314 and 315 areinterchangeable based on the diameter of the moving cable or conduit100. In this way, tamping devices 304 and 309 may accommodate cable orconduits or conduits with different diameters by simply replacingtamping pads 314 and 315.

Referring to FIG. 4B, a diagram of an exemplary moving cable or conduitafter initial affixing of labels by tamping devices 304 and 309 isdepicted in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Inthis embodiment, after tamping devices 304 and 309 drive tamping pads314 and 315 onto the moving cable or conduit 100, at least half of thecircumference of the moving cable or conduit 100 is affixed with labels200A and/or 200B after tamping pads 314 and 315 are removed. Thus,affixed labels 200A and/or 200B cover the top portion 406, a first side408 of the moving cable or conduit 100, and a second side 410 of themoving cable or conduit 100.

After initial affixing of labels 200A and/or 200B to the moving cable orconduit 100, a guide shoe assembly 306 directs the moving cable orconduit 100 while smoothing or rounding labels 200A and/or 200B totightly fit the outer profile of the moving cable or conduit 100.Referring to FIG. 5, a diagram of a top view of a guide shoe assembly306 is depicted in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Guide shoe assembly 306 comprises three main parts: guideshoe 502, guide shoe 504, guide shoe 506. In one embodiment, dimensionsof guide shoe 502 and guide shoe 504 are identical while dimensions ofguide shoe 506 are different from guide shoes 502 and 504. As movingcable or conduit 100 enters guide shoe assembly 306 in direction 508with initially affixed label 200, guide shoe 506 rounds and presseslabels 200A and/or 200B against a first side 408 of the moving cable orconduit 100. In this embodiment, guide shoe 506 is mounted at a levelthat is horizontally even with the moving cable or conduit 100, suchthat guide shoe 506 presses the labels directly against the first side408 of the moving cable or conduit 100 as the labels pass through guideshoe 506. The moving cable or conduit 100 then enters guide shoe 502 indirection 508, which rounds and presses labels 200A and/or 200B againsta second side 410 of the moving cable or conduit 100. In thisembodiment, guide shoe 502 is also mounted at a level that ishorizontally even with the moving cable or conduit 100, such that guideshoe 502 presses the labels directly against the first side 408 of themoving cable or conduit 100.

Next, the moving cable or conduit 100 enters guide shoe 504 in direction508, which rounds and presses labels 200A and/or 200B against the bottomportion (not shown) of the moving cable or conduit 100. In thisembodiment, guide shoe 504 is perpendicular to guide shoes 502 and 506and is mounted directly under the moving cable or conduit 100. Once themoving cable or conduit 100 with affixed labels 200A and/or 200B passguide shoe 504, labels 200A and/or 200B completely wrap around themoving cable or conduit 100. In this example, a portion of guide shoe506 overlaps a portion of guide shoe 502 to provide smooth transition oflabels 200A and/or 200B and the moving cable or conduit 100 from guideshoe 506 to guide shoe 502. However, a portion of guide shoe 506 doesnot have to overlap a portion of guide shoe 502 to round labels 200Aand/or 200B to fit the outer profile of moving cable or conduit 100.

In the case of a method for applying labels other than heatedshrink-wrap, such as adhesive labels, labeling unit 300 may be modifiedsuch that the opposing ends of labels 200A and/or 200B are joined afterlabels 200A and/or 200B pass the guide shoe assembly 306. For example,only guide shoes 506 and 502 are used to press and round the first 408and second sides 410 of the moving cable or conduit 100. In oneembodiment, guide shoes 506 and 502 are identical and may either be of atype as described in FIGS. 7A and 7B or FIGS. 8A and 8B. In thisembodiment, the spacing between guide shoe 506 and guide shoe 502 isadjusted, such that labels 200A and/or 200B completely exit guide shoe506 prior to entering guide shoe 502. In this way, a first end of labels200A and/or 200B is applied to the first side 408 of the moving cable orconduit 100 before the second end of labels 200A and/or 200B is appliedto the second side 410 of the moving cable or conduit 100 and joinedwith the first end.

Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, diagrams illustrating side views ofexemplary guide shoes are depicted in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present disclosure. According to FIG. 6A, guide shoe 506 comprises arounding member 602, a rounding member support 604, a set of springs606, a set of pivots 608, a fitted member 610, and a support mount 612.The rounding member 602 rounds and presses labels 200A and/or 200Bagainst a first side 408 of the moving cable or conduit 100 as it passesguide shoe 506. The rounding member 602 is supported by the roundingmember support 604 and a set of springs 606 are disposed between therounding member 602 and the rounding member support 604.

The set of springs 606 provide flexibility to the rounding member 602when the moving cable or conduit 100 passes guide shoe 506. Theflexibility of the rounding member 602 provided by the set of springs606 allows the moving cable or conduit 100 to transition smoothly fromguide shoe 506 to guide shoe 502. The set of springs 606 are adjustedusing a set of pivots 608 that are disposed between the rounding member602 and the rounding member support 604. In addition to providingtransition between guide shoes, the set of springs 606 makes it easierfor the rounding member 602 to adjust to the outer profile of movingcable or conduit 100 when it passes guide shoe 506 and presses labels200A and/or 200B against a first side 408 the moving cable or conduit100.

The fitted member 610 provides an anchor for the guide shoe 506 toconnect with the support mount 612. The support mount 612 is mounted tothe labeling unit 300 such that the guide shoe 506 is fixedly mounted tothe labeling unit 300. This provides stability for the moving cable orconduit 100 as it passes through the guide shoe 506.

According to FIG. 6B, guide shoe 502 also comprises a rounding member602, a rounding member support 604, a set of springs 606, a set ofpivots 608, a fitted member 610, and a support mount 612. The roundingmember 602 rounds and presses the label 200A and/or 200B against asecond side 410 of the moving cable or conduit 100 as it passes guideshoe 502. Similar to guide shoe 506, guide shoe 502 also comprises a setof springs 606 to provide flexibility for the rounding member 602, suchthat the moving cable or conduit 100 may transition smoothly from guideshoe 502 to guide shoe 504 when the moving cable or conduit 100 passesthrough the guide shoe 502. In addition, the set of springs 606 makes iteasier for the rounding member 602 to adjust to the outer profile ofmoving cable or conduit 100 as it passes guide shoe 502 and presses thelabel 200A and/or 200B against a second side 410 of the moving cable orconduit 100.

According to FIG. 6C, guide shoe 504 also comprises a rounding member602, a rounding member support 604, a set of springs 606, a set ofpivots 608, a fitted member 610, and a support mount 612. The roundingmember 602 rounds and presses labels 200A and/or 200B against a bottomportion 616 of the moving cable or conduit 100 as it passes guide shoe504. Similar to guide shoes 502 and 506, guide shoe 504 also comprises aset of springs 606 to provide flexibility for the rounding member 602,such that the moving cable or conduit 100 may transition smoothly fromguide shoe 504 to the set of parallel guide rollers 308 when the movingcable or conduit 100 passes through guide shoe 504. After the movingcable or conduit 100 passes through the rounding member 602 of guideshoe 504, labels 200A and/or 200B completely wraps around the outerprofile of the moving cable or conduit 100 before it reaches the set ofparallel guide rollers 308.

In this embodiment, guide shoes 502 and 506 are mounted horizontallyagainst both sides of the moving cable or conduit. Thus, guide shoe 502is mounted at a level that is horizontally even with the moving cable orconduit 100 such that it is directly facing the first side 408 of themoving cable or conduit 100. Similarly, guide shoe 506 is also mountedat a level that is horizontally even with the moving cable or conduit100, such that it is facing directly to a second side 410 of the movingcable or conduit 100. Also in this embodiment, guide shoe 504 is mountedat an angle directly facing the bottom portion 616 of the moving cableor conduit 100. In this embodiment, guide shoe 504 is perpendicular toguide shoes 502 and 506 and is mounted directly under the moving cableor conduit 100.

However, guide shoes 502, 504 and 506 may be mounted at any angle facingthe first side 408, the second side 410, and the bottom portion 616 ofthe moving cable or conduit 100 without departing the spirit and scopeof the present disclosure. For example, guide shoe 506 may be mounted atan angle closer to guide shoe 504 or the bottom portion 616 of themoving cable or conduit 100 to provide a smooth transition between guideshoe 502 and guide shoe 504.

Referring to FIG. 7A, a diagram illustrating a first side view of anexemplary guide shoe is depicted in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present disclosure. In this example, guide shoes 502 and 504comprise a rounding member 602 and a rounding member support 604. Therounding member support 604 comprises a hollow portion 702 in which theset of springs 606 are located. In this embodiment, the set of springs606 are located on opposite sides of the rounding member support 604 toprovide flexibility to the rounding member 602 as the moving cable orconduit 100 passes guide shoes 502 and 504 and when the rounding member602 presses the label 200 against a second side 410 and a bottom portion616 of the moving cable or conduit 100.

The rounding member 602 also comprises a hollow portion 704, which fitsthe outer profile of the moving cable or conduit 100 as it passes guideshoes 502 and 504. When guide shoe 502 or 504 is mounted, the hollowportion 704 directly faces the second side 410 or the bottom portion 616of the moving cable or conduit 100. A set of pivots 608 are disposed inthe center of rounding member 602, which connects the rounding member602 with the rounding member support 604. The set of pivots 608 allowthe set of springs 606 to adjust, such that the rounding member 602 mayfit the outer profile of the moving cable or conduit 100 as it passesthrough guide shoes 502 and 504 and presses labels 200A and/or 200Bagainst a second side 410 and a bottom portion 616 of the moving cableor conduit 100.

Referring to FIG. 7B, a diagram illustrating a top view of a guide shoeis depicted in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.In this example, the hollow portion 704 of the rounding member 602 has aV-shape, which rounds and presses labels 200A and/or 200B against asecond side 410 and/or a bottom portion 616 of the moving cable orconduit 100. However, the hollow portion 704 may have a different shapethat facilitates rounding and pressing of labels 200A and/or 200Bagainst the second side 410 and the bottom portion 616 of the movingcable or conduit 100 without departing the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure. When the guide shoe 502 or 504 is mounted, thehollow portion 704 directly faces the second side 410 or the bottomportion 616 of the moving cable or conduit 100.

Referring to FIG. 8A, a diagram illustrating a side view of a guide shoeis depicted in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In this example, guide shoe 506 comprises a rounding member602 and a rounding member support 604. The rounding member support 604comprises a hollow portion 802 in which the set of springs 606 arelocated. In this embodiment, the set of springs 606 are located onopposite sides of the rounding member support 604 to provide flexibilityto the rounding member 602, as the moving cable or conduit 100 passesthe guide shoe 506 and when the rounding member 602 presses labels 200Aand/or 200B against a first side 408 of the moving cable or conduit 100.

The rounding member 602 also comprises a hollow portion 804, which fitsthe outer profile of the moving cable or conduit 100 as it passes guideshoe 506. When guide shoe 506 is mounted, the hollow portion 804directly faces the first side 408 of the moving cable or conduit 100. Aset of pivots 608 are disposed in the center of rounding member 602,which connects the rounding member 602 with the rounding member support604. The set of pivots 608 allow the set of springs 606 to adjust, suchthat the rounding member 602 may fit the outer profile of the movingcable or conduit 100 as it passes through the guide shoe 506 and presseslabels 200A and/or 200B directly against the first side 408 of themoving cable or conduit 100.

Referring to FIG. 8B, a diagram illustrating a side view of a guide shoeis depicted in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In this example, the hollow portion 804 extends across theentire body of the rounding member 602. This enables the hollow portion804 to contact all portions of the moving cable or conduit 100 that passthrough guide shoe 506. This allows the moving cable or conduit 100 topass smoothly as the rounding member 602 rounds and presses the labelagainst a first side 408 of the moving cable or conduit 100.

Referring to FIG. 9, a diagram illustrating an exemplary guide roller isdepicted in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.The guide roller 308 may be made of metal or plastic materials. In thisembodiment, the guide roller 308 comprises top and bottom portions 902that guide the moving cable or conduit 100 after exiting guide shoe 504to hold the cable or conduit in place. The guide roller 308 alsocomprises a hollow portion 904 that fits the outer profile of the movingcable or conduit 100 such that it presses labels 200A and/or 200B morefirmly around the sides of the moving cable or conduit as it passesthrough the guide roller 308. In this embodiment, the hollow portion 904comprises a profile that is similar to the outer sheath 106 of themoving cable or conduit 100, such that the label 200A and/or 200B may bemore firmly pressed against the moving cable or conduit 100. The size ofthe guide roller 308 is interchangeable according to the overalldiameter of the cable or conduit 100.

After the moving cable or conduit 100 passes through the set of parallelguide rollers 308, the moving cable or conduit 100 with an appliedlabels 200A and/or 200B passes through an optional encoding wheel 312that regulates the frequency of label application based on the speed ofthe moving cable or conduit 100. The frequency of label applicationreflects how far labels 200A and/or 200B are spaced apart when appliedto the moving cable or conduit 100. The frequency may be adjusted basedon the size of the guiding wheel 318, which is interchangeable toprovide different frequencies.

After the moving cable or conduit 100 passes the optional encodingdevice 310, the moving cable or conduit 100 may enter an optional heatedshrink-wrap tunnel 312 that affixes the applied label 200A and/or 200Bmore securely onto the moving cable or conduit 100. The tunnel 312 heatsthe applied labels 200A and/or 200B to a predetermined temperature andcauses the applied labels 200A and/or 200B to shrink and tightly wraparound the outer profile of the moving cable or conduit 100. In thisway, labels 200A and/or 200B are applied directly to the outer sheath106 of the moving cable or conduit 100 without the application of ink.

Referring to FIG. 10, a flowchart of a process for applying labels to acable or conduit is depicted in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. Process 1000 begins at step 1002 to guide a cable orconduit to a labeling unit 300 with a set of guide rollers. Process 1000then continues to step 1004 to affix a label to the cable or conduitwith a tamping device, such as tamping device 304 and/or 309. Process1000 then continues to step 1006 to press the label against at least oneside of the cable or conduit using a set of guide shoes 1006. Process1000 then continues to step 1008 to press the label more firmly againstthe at least one side of the cable or conduit using a set of parallelguide rollers. Process 1000 then continues to step 1010 to pass thecable or conduit through an optional encoding device to monitor thefrequency of label application. Process 1000 then completes at step 1012to heat and shrink-wrap the applied label around the outer profile ofthe cable or conduit more securely through an optional tunnel.

Referring to FIG. 11, a flowchart of a process for affixing labels to acable or conduit with a tamping device is depicted in accordance withone embodiment of the present disclosure. Process 1100 begins at step1102 to feed the at least one label from at least one roller onto a faceof the tamping device. Process 1100 then continues to step 1104 to drivethe tamping pad of the tamping device downward onto at least one side ofthe moving cable or conduit. Process 1100 then completes at step 1106 todirect the moving cable or conduit to the at least one guide shoe.

Referring to FIG. 12, a flowchart of a process for pressing the labelagainst at least one side of the cable or conduit using a set of guideshoes is depicted in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Process 1200 begins at step 1202 to press at least one labelagainst a first side of the cable or conduit using a hollow portion ofthe first guide shoe directly facing the first side. Process 1200 thencontinues to step 1204 to press at least one label against a second sideof the cable or conduit using a hollow portion of the second guide shoedirectly facing the second side. Process 1200 then completes at step1206 to press the at least one label against a bottom portion of thecable or conduit using a hollow portion of a third guide shoe directlyfacing the bottom portion.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to acertain preferred embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious thatequivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled inthe art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and theannexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of theinvention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of severalembodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more otherfeatures of the other embodiments as may be desired. It is therefore,contemplated that the claims will cover any such modifications orembodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for applying at least one label tocable or conduit, the apparatus comprising: at least one tamping devicecomprising at least one tamping pad, wherein the tamping pad is inintermittent contact with the at least one label; and at least one guideshoe in intermittent contact with the at least one label affixed to thecable or conduit by the at least one tamping device.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one guide shoe further comprises arounding member.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least oneguide shoe further comprises at least one spring coupled to the roundingmember.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the guide shoe furthercomprises a rounding member support coupled to the rounding member. 5.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide shoe furthercomprises a hollow portion directly facing at least one side of thecable or conduit.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least oneguide shoe is mounted directly under the cable or conduit.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide shoe is mounted ata level horizontally even with the cable or conduit.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising at least one guide roller.
 9. The apparatusof claim 1 further comprising at least one guide roller in rotationalconnection with the cable or conduit.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the at least one guide roller further comprises a top portionand a bottom portion.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at leastone guide roller further comprises at least two guide rollers inparallel.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least two guiderollers contact the at least one label and the cable or conduit.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the point of contact between the at leasttwo guide rollers and the cable or conduit is rotationally differentthan the contact between the guide shoe and the cable or conduit. 14.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the distance between the at least twoguide rollers is adjustable.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theat least one guide shoe further comprises at least two guide shoes. 16.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least two guide shoes furthercomprises at least three guide shoes.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, thefirst guide shoe presses the at least one label against a first side ofthe cable or conduit, the second guide shoe presses the at least onelabel against a second side of the cable or conduit, and the third guideshoe presses the at least one label against a third side of the cable orconduit.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the third side of thecable or conduit is the bottom portion of the cable or conduit.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tamping device furthercomprises a set of hydraulics for driving the at least one tamping padonto the cable or conduit.
 20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thetamping pad comprises a groove.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, whereinthe groove fits the outer profile of the cable or conduit.